CFL/XFL Collaboration

[Shatto]

The CFL/XFL issue has resulted in a plethora of articles and comments. It was interesting to listen to a XFL roundtable discussion about the collaboration. The general feeling in that discussion, was the CFL is in dire straits and need to be rescued by the XFL owners. There was even the suggestion that maybe the XFL will simply buy the CFL. After all if it is American it has to be bigger and better--right?

One of the more interesting articles was the Ten Dos and Don'ts by Ryan Ballentine. His first Do is player movement between leagues allowing players to play in both CFL and XFL---if their bodies can stand it with out breaking down with injuries. It is an intriguing proposal and the players might well be in favour of such a move.

However, the fundamental question, of what is the primary objective for the CFL, is still unanswered. If, as most are assuming, it is to increase the revenue stream, it raises the question of how that can be accomplished. Some startup Spring leagues in the past actually had to pay to have the games televised. The XFL so far has given their games away just to get their games on tv. Not sure how the CFL imagines there might be some revenue from American tv, under those conditions.

Until we have some transparency from the CFL and a clear statement of the primary purpose behind the discussions (from the CFL perspective), there seems very little to be gained from continued speculations. Personally, I'd like to see more league emphasis on getting the 2021 season off the ground and perhaps more work on attaining a 10th team for Atlantic Canada.

[OV Argo]

The CFL/XFL issue has resulted in a plethora of articles and comments. It was interesting to listen to a XFL roundtable discussion about the collaboration. The general feeling in that discussion, was the CFL is in dire straits and need to be rescued by the XFL owners. There was even the suggestion that maybe the XFL will simply buy the CFL. After all if it is American it has to be bigger and better--right?

One of the more interesting articles was the Ten Dos and Don'ts by Ryan Ballentine. His first Do is player movement between leagues allowing players to play in both CFL and XFL---if their bodies can stand it with out breaking down with injuries. It is an intriguing proposal and the players might well be in favour of such a move.

However, the fundamental question, of what is the primary objective for the CFL, is still unanswered. If, as most are assuming, it is to increase the revenue stream, it raises the question of how that can be accomplished. Some startup Spring leagues in the past actually had to pay to have the games televised. The XFL so far has given their games away just to get their games on tv. Not sure how the CFL imagines there might be some revenue from American tv, under those conditions.

Until we have some transparency from the CFL and a clear statement of the primary purpose behind the discussions (from the CFL perspective), there seems very little to be gained from continued speculations. Personally, I'd like to see more league emphasis on getting the 2021 season off the ground and perhaps more work on attaining a 10th team for Atlantic Canada.

Well, at least this XCFL thing has prompted a lot of discussion and publicity for the CFL - which is a good thing I guess and maybe part of the big plan.

I've been a bit surprised or stunned (ok - not really) at all the discussion trying to rationalise or make excuses for this proposed venture - in the media and amongst CFL "fans" - lots of ideas as to how it could work - 4 downs better with more scoring, all sorts or rule changes to suck-up to American football; and the usual "ratio problem" suspects salivating over the amazing upgrade in talent a new XCFL could feature if those Canadian scrubs on CFL rosters now could be turfed.

Should be some sort of poll to see how many current CFL fans will remain big fans/followers of the new & improved XCFL American football league IF it comes to pass.

[cfl-cis fan]

Well, at least this XCFL thing has prompted a lot of discussion and publicity for the CFL - which is a good thing I guess and maybe part of the big plan.

I've been a bit surprised or stunned (ok - not really) at all the discussion trying to rationalise or make excuses for this proposed venture - in the media and amongst CFL "fans" - lots of ideas as to how it could work - 4 downs better with more scoring, all sorts or rule changes to suck-up to American football; and the usual "ratio problem" suspects salivating over the amazing upgrade in talent a new XCFL could feature if those Canadian scrubs on CFL rosters now could be turfed.

Should be some sort of poll to see how many current CFL fans will remain big fans/followers of the new & improved XCFL American football league IF it comes to pass.

I don't think I will want to watch if there are no Canadians on the roster ..............

[paulwoods13]

Personally, I'd like to see more league emphasis on getting the 2021 season off the ground and perhaps more work on attaining a 10th team for Atlantic Canada.

We'd all love an Atlantic franchise, but as has been the case for the past 40 years, there is no stadium and no evident source of funding to build one. It remains as much of a pipe dream as it was in 1982 when the "Schooners" first hosted a hospitality suite during Grey Cup week.